Seal-lock



N0 Model.)

0. E. WHEATQN. SEAL LOCK.

No, 504,643. Patented Sept. 5,189?

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ORSON E. WHEATON, OF GRUNDY CENTRE, IOWA.

SEAL-LOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 504,643, dated September 5, 1893.

Application filed March 21, 1898.

To (0% whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ORSON E. WHEATON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Grundy Centre, in the county of Grundy and State of Iowa, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Seal-Locks, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification and accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 is a front view of my improved seal-lock in closed position; Fig. II, a detail showing the construction of the lock-plate. Fig. III, a side view of the same showing the locking-pin and seal in engagement; Fig. IV, a detail showing the construction of the hasp and its relations to the lock-plate; Fig. V, a detail of the locking-pin and seal, and Fig. VI, a detail showing the form and the breaking point of my improved seal.

My invention pertains to improvements i seal-locks of the class specially designed for railway freight cars, although it will be found equally effective in its application to shipping cases or crates, the contents of which require protection against depredation while in transit from place to place.

The object of this particular invention is an improvement on my Patent No. 487,591, issued December 6, 1892.

The peculiar construction and operation of the device will be readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings in which 1 designates the hasp having a link extension 2 which is attached to a car door by a staple or other suitable appliance. A sufficient vertical movement is thus provided and prevents straining or damage to the hasp which would result from a sagging movement of the door. The other parts of the hasp will be described in connection with thelock-plate which is provided with two forwardly projecting lugs i and 5 as shown in Figs. 11 and HI. Between these lugs is a recess 6 which receives the inner or back portion of the hasp. The lower front of the upper lug is gained and forms a seat 7 for the shoulder 8 on the hasp. A triangular or wedge shaped lip or projection 9 is formed on this portion of the lock-plate and engages a corresponding sloped Serial No. 467,033. (No model.)

face 10 on the head of the hasp. A vertical opening for the locking-pin,extends through the lugs of the lock-plate and registers with the opening 11 in the hasp. The locking-pin 12 is provided on its side with jaws or spurs 13 and let, the upper one of which projects slightly outside of the perpendicular, and below the plane of the lower. The upper jaw terminates in a vertical slot 15. The seal 16 is made of flexible sheet metal and has a triangular portion cut out of one end of the neck at its junction with the head as shown in the drawings. It will be observed that being made in the form described, the seal must be broken at a given point and cannot be withdrawn except in one direction.

The advantages of the improved form of the seal will be apparent to all who are familiar with the requirements of a safe and efficient seal-lock. Vhen made in the ordinary form, the seal may be out and withdrawn and afterward apparently replaced by lapping and inserting the necks or other parts of similar seals in such a manner as to escape notice until too late to detect the thief.

The combination of the various parts of the device and its operation will nowbe described. The correct position of the seal is easily ascertained by comparing the notch therein and the corresponding lip or wedge-shaped projection on the lock-plate. The seal being properly adjusted and the hasp placed upon it, the locking-pin is inserted. As it passes downwardly, the lower jaw 14: engages and bends the seal. The movement being continued the lower jaw passes the seal which then reacts and intercepts the upper jaw 13 by which it is restored to a straight condition. It is evident that the pin is thus securely locked and cannot be withdrawn except by fracturing and removing the seal.

What I claim as new is- In a seal-lock, the combination with a hasp provided on its shank with a link extension and having on its swinging end an enlargement forming a shoulder and a sloped face as shown; ofa lock-plate having forwardly extending lugs with intermediate recesses and a projectinglip adapted to receive the corresponding shoulder and sloped face of the hasp; a vertical opening extending through the lugs and hasp to receive a locking-pin provided with jaws to admit and retain the seal formed as shown, all constructed and ar- Witnesses: ranged substantially as and for the purpose S. R. RAYMOND, herein set forth.

D. M. MosER.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 8th day of February, 1893, in the presence of witnesses. I0

ORSON E. WVHEATON. 

